Verbal commitment from St. Paul's Thompson headlines South Alabama's early recruiting efforts

MOBILE, Alabama - The verbal commitment of Jalen Thompson of St. Paul's to South Alabama's coaching staff last week marks a big step for the program.

To have Thompson, a cover cornerback who has received serious attention from several SEC schools and other well-known programs, offer his commitment to the Jaguars, especially so early, is a commitment that packs a lot of punch. It not only is expected to resonate with other recruits, but with Mobile-area fans.

It is not a stretch to suggest Thompson is the biggest recruit the Jaguars have wooed in the program's young history. It also goes without saying the important aspect of his commitment now becomes having him sign in February when commitments move from the being verbal to placing a signature on a national letter of intent.

The Jags' coaching staff has had success getting former Mobile-area players who started elsewhere to transfer to South Alabama when they decided to change schools - former Alabama players B.J. Scott, Danny Woodson II and Marvin Shinn are among the most notable - but having Thompson commit heading into his senior prep season, especially with his prospect rating - a four-star by some, three stars by others - is considered a big plus for a young and rising program.

"I'm not going to speak for Joey (Jones, South Alabama head coach), because he speaks for himself, but knowing him like I do I believe Jalen is one of the biggest signees they've ever had coming out of high school because of the offers Jalen had on the table,'' St. Paul's head coach Steve Mask said. "He turned down several SEC schools and national school offers to go to South Alabama. We're excited for that. It's a great deal for both programs. We're basically two and a half miles from each other and we admire what Joey has done at South Alabama and we want to be a part of things for South Alabama. This is a tremendous get for South Alabama.

"I think it gives a lot of legitimacy to what's going on at South. They were basically three or four plays away last year from playing in a bowl game and I think it gives them credibility that they are here to be a factor. It solidifies what they have done the last two or three years and it gets the local kids to say, 'You know what, there's no sense in going away from town when we have a chance to stay here locally and play for a quality program.'''

South Alabama has eight verbal commitments at this time. Joining Thompson among local prospects is Satsuma quarterback Reid Rials, who is being recruited as an athlete and will probably play wide receiver for the Jags. Pensacola defensive tackle Roy Albritton also represents the Gulf Coast-area player who has said he will sign with South Alabama.

The Jags have also received verbal commitments from Lackawanna Community College tight end Julian Allen, Itawamba Community College cornerback Quinton Lane, Brindlee Mountain School offensive lineman Steven Clark, Lakeland, Fla., quarterback Aaron Johnson and Dodge City, Ka., Community College tight end James Bynes.

"I think, No. 1, it's the coaching staff,'' Satsuma head coach Scott Rials, father of Reid Rials, said when asked why he thought South Alabama was enjoying such recruiting success thus far. "They are really honest and straight-forward and they tell you what they believe and they don't beat around the bush. Sometimes coaches aren't that way, but the coaches there - coach Jones, coach (Robert) Matthews (offensive coordinator) and coach (Tim) Bowens, the receivers coach, they were all very honest with us. I'm sure they're like that with all the recruits and boys they are looking at and that honesty is so important.

"They did a great job of selling the program, but they don't really have to do a lot because in just a few short years they've gone from just getting things started to, I think, contenders now to win the (Sun Belt) conference. It's something that's sort of selling itself. I see them as a program on the rise. I believe it's just going to continue to get better and better.''

Rials said the recent run of verbal commitments, especially local commitments, should lead to more quality players, both from the Mobile area and around the Southeast, giving the program serious consideration.

"I think it can have a huge impact,'' Rials said. "I know Reid is just completely sold on South Alabama. He loves it. Earlier, he was saying 'It would be great to be recruited by South,' and I told him, 'Well, you never know.' But I believe the impact of the local guys who have already committed, who are saying this is their school no matter what happens, that they believe in the program, and coach Jones, I believe that will help sell the school to other guys that are interested or considering South Alabama. I think it will have a big impact on other guys. ... I feel great about the direction of the program and I know those guys are too and they want to be a part of something special.''

Getting the attention of quality, local-area, high school recruits to commit to play at South Alabama is the next step for the program, and that's where the commitment from Thompson pays big dividends, Mask said.

"The thing is, Joey and his coaches have done a really good job of getting some players from Mobile that have been transfers - obviously (Marvin) Shinn and (Danny) Woodson and those kids. But they went off somewhere (Alabama) and then they came back,'' Mask said. "But to get a player like Jalen out of high school, I just think it speaks volumes for the job Joey and his staff are doing.

I think every signee has to do what's best for them. There are some kids - and this is nothing against South Alabama - but if Alabama and Auburn were recruiting a kid and offering them out of Mobile, it's going to be hard for South Alabama to keep that kid from going there. That's just the real world and it's not a slap at South at all. But when you get other schools that might be further off and they're Division I, some of these kids might say, 'You know what, I can play just as good a ball in front of my family and friends in a real good program and stay at home (by signing with South Alabama).'

I think there's a lot of interest in their program and I've very excited for South Alabama. And I'm very excited for St. Paul's to have a player of Jalen's caliber going to South.''

What does Thompson bring to the South Alabama program that makes him a special player and a big "get'' for the Jags' program? Mask had a quick answer.

"Jalen is - now take this with a grain of salt, and I'm not comparing him to Deion Sanders, I'm not and I'm saying that I'm not - but I believe he's that kind of player, he has the same type of skill set - a player who can have an immediate impact,'' Mask said. "He's a great cover corner and he has great ball skills and he's a tremendous (kick) returner. When he gets the ball in his hands a lot of magic happens. I know they'll use him the right way; if they stick him out on an island and tell him, 'Cover this guy,' he'll be tremendous at it. He'll do well.''

Thompson had seven interceptions last season, two he returned for touchdowns, as well as 39 tackles. He will also play baseball at South Alabama. He was an all-region selection at shortstop this past season, hitting .310 and stealing 35 bases.